ITV has secured the exclusive UK broadcast rights for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, defeating the BBC in a bidding war, World Rugby announced. The tournament, which runs from 1 October to 13 November 2027, will be the largest in history, featuring 24 nations for the first time and a new round of 16 phase.
ITV wins exclusive free-to-air rights
All 52 matches will be broadcast live and free-to-air on ITV, ITVX and ITV Sport's YouTube channel, alongside extensive highlights and digital content. The deal marks the 10th consecutive Rugby World Cup aired by ITV, which also holds rights to the Nations Championship and England's Six Nations fixtures.
ITV Director of Sport Niall Sloane said: 'This is a monumental deal for audiences across the UK delivering coverage on ITV of the biggest rugby tournament. This partnership further secures ITV as the home of rugby.'
World Rugby hails landmark agreement
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin described the agreement as 'much more than a new agreement with a trusted partner' and 'a statement of intent to ensure that everyone in the UK can experience and be inspired by one of the world's iconic sporting events.'
Gilpin added: 'Australia 2027 will be a landmark moment for rugby. With 24 teams, more matches, more stories and more opportunities for emerging nations to shine on the world stage, the tournament will power a new era for the game.' The BBC, which had reportedly sought joint coverage following the success of the 2025 Women's World Cup, missed out on this edition.
